Understanding Graduate Student Success & Well-Being: An Overview

While recruiting a strong cohort is critical, if promising students struggle to complete their graduate degree, then recruitment efforts can be undermined and enrollment will drop.

Stress, imposter syndrome, and loneliness are common factors affecting a student’s ability to persist. By incorporating well-being practices through a holistic lens, graduate programs can be pro-active in their retention efforts.

The Graduate School’s definition and model of “well-being” is based on UGA’s Five Dimensions of Well-Being initiative from the Division of Student Affairs. Additional information on student well-being resources can be found at the link above and in the Well-Being section of GradUp.

Purpose – Connecting to your goals, passions, interests, and values that motivate your decisions toward your personal and professional development

Community – Connecting to people and organizations that are most important in your life and being involved in your community. Fostering relationships and engaging with your various identities to stay connected with your authentic self

Social – Understanding your needs for personal connections and prioritizing these connections in your life. The ability to relate to and interact with others to build healthy relationships and have pleasant experiences

Physical – Maintaining a healthy body through nutrition, exercise, sleep, preventative medical appointments, and avoidance of harmful habits

Financial – Understanding your finances and recognizing that financial stressors impact all areas of your life. Managing finances and debt, gaining autonomy, and planning strategically for short- and long-term goals